Bureau of Reclamation February 29, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Bureau of Reclamation published a notice in the Federal Register on September 8, 2003, (68 FR 52953) announcing commencement of work under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) on an environmental impact statement for the Southern Delivery System project (SDS). We are now notifying the public that Reclamation has completed the Draft EIS which is now available for public review and comment. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are cooperating agencies in preparing the Draft EIS. The Draft EIS provides information and analyses on seven alternatives that were developed for the project based on key issues. Ten key issues relevant to the proposed SDS associated with water flow and quality, stream channel morphology, sedimentation, water rights, fish and aquatic life, wetlands, wildlife, socioeconomics, and recreation are addressed in the analysis. Significant effects on natural resources are examined and mitigation measures, where appropriate to avoid or minimize impacts, are incorporated into the alternatives. The Draft EIS includes appendices with technical analyses and supporting documentation of the analysis findings and summaries.